The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1887-05-29

| Jim meant to devote the remainder of his
existence to throwing clods of grass, like
the old man in the spelliug-book
The days of that week passed rather
slowly for Miss Allen. She tried hard to
accept Jim's presence in a missionary
spirit, but, in truth, he was perpetual
| trial TO her orderlovlng, sympathetic soul.
He was not bad, but he was so blgl He
seemed to try TO do right, but he was so
utterly unframed IN the ways Of the school
room that eAery motion was a blun6er.
And yet, in his own sphere, jim bad
skill they never dreamed of. His grace
and accuracy with horse and gun and
lariat would have been marvel to any
man in that city. Perhaps he felt his pre-
sent iuferiority even more than his teacher
did. Perhaps the days were YEARLY long
to him. and the year seemed endless in
prospect.
Miss Allen had planned school picnic
for Saturday, and on Friday the children
were full of excitement about 1t. One of
them told her that Jim wasn't going At
first she was rather relieved to hear it, but
when she entered the school room she was
touched by the homesick look on the boys
face.
James," said she kindly, 81 am afraid
our life here does not seem quite natural
to you"
'Tm afraid not" answered James dryly;
and then added with burst of confidence,
why, Miss Allen, in all this week | amt
seen nor heard but just one thing that
! seemed natural 10 me- and that was the
story you was a-readin' US about the old
ranchman that pastured on the Govern
mept land"
"What!" cried the teacher, in blank
| establishment.
THAT had such big bunch of sons, you
know; and they was his cowboys"
"But | haven't read any such story"
said Miss Allen.
"Why, yes; don't you remembers" said
Jim. ssAnd one day, when they was on
the range, the old man sent the little Kid
out from the home ranch to look 'em up,
and find out how they was.
"Fo," said the young lady, Il never
read you story like that.
Perhaps you don't remember said
jim, ''but do, because it seemed natural.
And the kid went on and got where he
thought they was, and he found they had
moved the whole bunch on to another
/ range. And when he did find them they
chucked the little kid into big wash out
and then pulled him out and sold him to
the Indians.
"Jamesl'
'sThat's what you said,' continued Jim,
respectful but positive. II dont remember
what the book called EN-, but you said
they was the same as the Araso in the
geography. That's what we call the Arab,
ahoes"
"The Arabs!' exc aimed Miss Allen. 1T
is possible that you mean the story OF
Joseph aud his brethren"
That's itl'' answered Jim. . couldn't
think of the name Poor little kid We
wouldn't treat no little kid that way. That
part wasn't NATURAL
Miss Allen did not know how exactly
the present life on the great plains is re-
presented by some passages OF the Old
Testament. Sue concluded to postpone
the matter OF Biblical exegesls. and said
cheerfulv: .sYou will get used TO us IN
time, hope, James,
81 don't know, said Jm rather dole
fully. when fellows been maverick
'slong as have, it comes rather rough to
be rounded up aud roped and branded,
even if they do put him into a nice little
corral like this, Aud then, an old ranger
like me hates to trot along with the
calves"
Miss Allen did not understand this
speech very well, but she felt that her new
pupil was homesick and lonely, and, like
the good little woman she was, she spoke
so kindly that her simple words went
straight TO the bows heart. He replied
only thank you" but she was astonishod
to see that the tears flushed into his eyes
as he spoke.
With a new interest in him, she said !,
sincerely and cordially, II hope you will
go 10 the picnic tomorrow, james. gu
will like to see something Of the country,
think.
.,I'll come if you want me, " said JIM.
4 Gray's Park could hardly be called the
country. To be sure it was wild and
picturesque little spot, but after all there
were only few acres OF land, set off by
the city for public recreation. The river
runs by Gray's Park, playing with pebbles
and trailing willow branches like peace
full country river; but little further down
the stream it plunges with mighty hustle
and roar of business over a great dam.
Here are clustered the city mills and ia
the quietest part of Gray's Park you can
hear the wlir of machinery mingled with
the noises of the streets.
The picnic was like other school pic
MICS The children ran and shouted.
brought Miss Allen a wonderful collection
of flowers and leaves and pebbles, ate too
much dinner, got their feet wet and found
a mud turtle.
1t was almost time to go home. Miss
Allen had repacked the lunch baskets and
Jim had taken down the swing, though he
climbed rather awkwardly, and declared
that be felt like tenderfoot in tree"
He lay by the waters edge, coiliug the
rope upon his left arm, and handling it
rather wistfully. jim could do wonder
full things with rope. If he had been
alone he would have tried a few of his old
throws. although he might have found it
rather tame practice on foot instead of on
horseback, and with an old stump for
target, instead of a galloping steer.
Miss Allen sat near him, on rustic seat
! made of q twisted hemlock tree.